John Garamendi

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Keith Anthony Bottoms, father to my long time Chief of Staff Bradley Bottoms. Throughout his life, Keith was a dedicated father, husband, and brother. His legacy of joy, his dedication to his work and family and his humor will continue to inspire us for years to come. Born in San Francisco and raised in South San Francisco, Keith married the love of his life, Caroline Connolly Bottoms, on October 25, 1980. Together, they built a life in Pacifica centered on family, on hard work, and on generosity. Keith was a proud and loving father to his daughter, Lauren Bottoms (son-in-law Andrew Stiffler), and his son, Bradley Bottoms, who has spent his career serving California as my Chief of Staff. Keith dedicated himself to ensuring his children had every opportunity, no matter what, and took immense pride in sharing their achievements with anyone who would listen. Keith believed to his core that Lauren and Bradley were the best at whatever they chose to do. And I know he was immensely proud of the children he and Caroline raised. Keith spent 42 years working as a union automotive technician, a career that reflected his work ethic, skill, and pride in repairing even the most challenging of vehicles. He was incredibly curious and wanted to know how every system and structure functioned. After he retired, he focused his skills on home improvements, confident in his abilities as a carpenter, electrician, and landscaper. To know Keith was to know his humor. He was funny, playful, and unapologetically sarcastic. He had a rare ability to connect with people--often stopping strangers on the street or at Costco just to say hello, turning quick encounters into deep conversations. He took a genuine interest in others, caring about where they came from and often asking how he could help. Everyone knew Keith--from his Pacifica neighbors, who he talked to while gardening or while working on cars, to the clerk at the local market where he purchased lottery tickets-- his curiosity and interest made a profound mark on each of them. He loved the simple things that brought him joy: long walks in San Pedro Valley Park or at the Pacifica Pier, cheering on the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, debating politics with strangers, and donating twice a week to the lottery fund. He also enjoyed international travel with Caroline and their friends. Keith also took pleasure in his daily rituals that he kept on a tight schedule even until his last days, which included providing Caroline with breakfast in bed at 6:00 am every workday, feeding the squirrels and birds in his backyard, watering the garden, and putting away his neighbor's trash cans every Wednesday morning. These small acts of service gave him purpose every day and his life gave meaning to everyone who knew him. On behalf of California's 8th Congressional District, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Bradley and Keith's family and friends on their loss. Keith's joy, humor, and work ethic have left a lasting legacy that forever bettered the lives of everyone he met.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Chair, I begin by honoring those members of the military that lost their lives recently in the Iran conflict. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership. It has also been a pleasure to work with Chairman Bergman. He is a great partner. I also thank the Readiness Subcommittee, both on the majority and minority sides. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish this year, authorizing over $2 billion for new barracks and dormitories and other critical infrastructure projects. The bill includes positive provisions, including servicemember pay raises, protections for civilian workers, right-to-repair authorities, and transparency on military operations in the Middle East. Good provisions do not cure the larger problems this bill faces. I voted against this bill in committee and will on the floor. This bill cannot continue to increase military spending while the administration unilaterally misuses our Armed Forces at home and abroad, as they intend to fight immigration and Iran. This bill also authorizes more than $1.5 trillion, plus another $300 billion in the reconciliation bill, which apparently will be with us soon, plus another $80 billion or $90 billion to pay for the Iran war. This is an outrageous and dangerously irresponsible amount of spending. Increasing the budget is not a strategy. Without discipline and oversight, it rewards programs that are over budget, behind schedule, and failing to deliver. How is all this paid for? It is paid for with cuts to healthcare. Medicaid is eviscerated in the upcoming months ahead. The children's food programs, in schools and out, are not there. They will go hungry. Several hundred billion dollars in healthcare is gone, and it goes on and on. This could not possibly be in our interest.

Mr. GARAMENDI. I haven't even gotten to my favorite issue, the Sentinel and the programs of our nuclear arsenal. Again, why? We don't need the Sentinel. We don't need to spend billions on it. We can get along quite well with the existing Minuteman.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Chair, we seem to be fighting over who gets the last word, so let me take a shot at the last word. If you are interested in the power of the State to regulate its environment, to regulate its communities, roads and streets, and rivers and lakes, then you should be opposed to this amendment. Why would we do this? This has little to do with national defense. This has everything to do with sticking it to California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Yes.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an institution that is purely California, the California Conservation Corps, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. It started in 1976 with Jerry Brown in his first iteration as Governor. When wildfires come, when floods rise, when the Earth shakes, and when pandemics descend, you can count on the California Conservation Corps answering the call. Every year, corps members have protected our forests and built and maintained trails so that many of us can enjoy the outdoors. When the Nation calls, the California Conservation Corps answers far beyond the borders. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the California Conservation Corps answered the call for mutual aid by sending crews to support post- disaster recovery. If there is a flood, if there is a fire, look to the levees, look to the forest, and you will find the California Conservation Corps. It has a rich and well-deserved history. Mr. Speaker, I yield back in honoring the California Conservation Corps's 50th anniversary.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleague, Representative Mark DeSaulnier, to recognize Eddie Hart as he is inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Born in Martinez, California and raised in Pittsburg, California, Eddie is known as the ``World's Fastest Human.'' He started his track and field career at Contra Costa College, winning state titles in the 100- and 200-yard events. He went on to earn NCAA titles for the 100- yard dash and 4 x 110-yard relay while competing at UC Berkley. He was ranked one of the top sprinters in the Nation between 1970 to 1979. Eddie went on to compete in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. During the U.S. Olympic Trials, he tied the world record for the 100-meter race with a run time of 9.9 seconds. He ran the anchoring leg in the American 4 x 100-meter relay team, earning a gold medal and helping the United States to set the world record in the race. In 1989, Eddie set the Masters world record in the 100-meter race, holding that record for 14 years. Eddie has also demonstrated his commitment to serving youth in our community. In 2003, he co-founded the Eddie Hart All in One Foundation with his wife, Gwen, and son, Eddie, Jr., to empower disadvantaged youth through music, sports, and education. He was recognized as a Hometown Hero by the City of Pittsburg in 2024 for his incredible impact in the community. Our community takes great pride in honoring Eddie's legacy of service and athletic excellence. Please join us in recognizing Eddie Hart upon his induction to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Reverend Germaine M.W. Anderson, Th.M. for his inauguration as the 14th Pastor in Succession of Second Baptist Church of Vallejo. I also rise to extend my sincere appreciation for his distinguished leadership, service, and commitment to community transformation. The Second Baptist Church of Vallejo has stood for more than 118 years known to be a pillar of this proud community, earning its other name as ``The Mother Church'' and as ``The Jewel of the North Bay.'' There is probably no better word to describe Second Baptist Church of Vallejo as ``The Mother Church'' because like a mother who loves their children, this church has provided for the community, with food, with emergency relief for families and with unity for almost 120 years. Think of everything that has happened in the last 118 years. The Mother Church was there. The Jewel of the North Bay was there. This place of worship was there. We cannot talk about the history of this church without mentioning this incredible fact: That this is the first and oldest Black church in Vallejo. This church saw Jim Crow, which manifested itself here in Vallejo when families fled the violence of the South. This church saw the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act; all of which is even more relevant now, as everything that the Civil Rights movement built is now being torn down but that means that faith is even more important now than it has ever been. This church needs a capable leader to navigate these hard times and with no doubt, that is why Reverend Germaine M.W. Anderson, Th.M., is the right person to serve as the 14th Pastor in Succession of Second Baptist Church of Vallejo. Reverend Anderson has faithfully served the Oakland community and the greater Bay Area through years of impactful ministry, community outreach, mentorship, and civic engagement, earning recognition and acknowledgments from distinguished civic leaders, including former Mayor Libby Schaaf, for his commitment to strengthening communities and serving the people of the Bay Area. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that such a historic place of worship will be in the most dedicated and capable hands of Reverend Anderson. Once again, I congratulate Reverend Anderson whose distinguished leadership, service, and commitment to the community will no doubt continue the stellar reputation of this church for generations to come.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of the 60th Comptroller Squadron at Travis Air Force Base and to congratulate the team at Travis for being named the Comptroller Squadron of the Year by Air Mobility Command. These honors reflect the exceptional professionalism, innovation, and dedication of the men and women at Travis who support the financial readiness of our Airmen and the broader mission of the United States Air Force. The 60th Comptroller Squadron (60 CPTS) has demonstrated unparalleled financial stewardship in service to our Nation, managing a $1 billion payroll for 16,000 personnel and overseeing a $500 million budget in support of a 1-Star Command. Their work underpins the only Air Mobility Command installation executing all four of its primary mission sets, enabling 32,000 missions across eleven Combatant Commands. The Squadron's leadership has fostered a culture defined by integrity, respect, and excellence. This commitment is reflected in the highest Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey ratings in the wing and in achieving a 100 percent civilian position fill rate. The 60 CPTS has also distinguished itself as a pioneer in workforce development and personnel processing. It established the first official SkillBridge location within an Air Force Comptroller Squadron, created a Palace Acquire Program, and acquired off-network laptops to digitize in- processing and reintegration, eliminating paper delays and significantly reducing member wait times. These initiatives strengthen the future of the Air Force financial management enterprise and set new benchmarks for efficiency. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the men and women of the 60th Comptroller Squadron for their extraordinary accomplishments, their unwavering dedication to mission readiness, and their profound contributions to the strength of the United States Armed Forces. Their innovation, leadership, and commitment to excellence bring great credit upon themselves, the United States Air Force, and our Nation.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, on April 22, 2026, I was recorded as NAY on Roll Call Vote No. 133. I intended to vote YEA on Roll Call No. 133.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the opening of the new Hillview Junior High School Replacement Campus in Pittsburg, California--a transformative investment for the Pittsburg community and a major milestone for the Pittsburg Unified School District. On January 7, 2026, students walked through the doors of this state- of-the-art campus for the first time, marking the culmination of a large-scale construction effort that began in November 2023. This project reflects years of planning, collaboration, and steadfast community support. The development of the new Hillview campus included several significant milestones. Built adjacent to the former school site, the new campus features modern classrooms, improved facilities, expanded parking areas, and sustainability-focused upgrades such as solar energy systems. These enhancements ensure that Pittsburg students have access to a safe and innovative learning environment. Hillview Junior High School has been a cornerstone of Pittsburg since its founding in 1958, serving generations of families and shaping the lives of countless young people. The opening of the replacement campus honors that legacy while ushering in a new era of educational opportunity. This achievement was made possible through the enduring support of the Pittsburg community, which shares in the belief of the power of strong public schools and the vital role they play in supporting youth, families, and our Nation's long-term success. On behalf of the constituents of California's 8th Congressional District, I am proud to honor the opening of the new Hillview Junior High School Replacement Campus and to recognize the educators, community leaders, students, and residents whose dedication made this milestone possible. This campus stands as a testament to Pittsburg's enduring commitment to its children and its future.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Phillips 66 Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex, located in California's 8th Congressional District in Contra Costa County. Founded in February 1896, the Rodeo facility celebrates 130 years of continuous operation in 2026, making it among the longest-operating refinery sites on the West Coast. For more than a century, the site has played an integral role in the economic and industrial life of Contra Costa County and in California's broader energy landscape. Generations of workers and families have relied upon its operations, and its presence has supported local businesses, community institutions, and regional economic development. Throughout its history, the Rodeo site has demonstrated an ability to adapt to meet the evolving energy needs of our state and Nation. From its early days as a petroleum refinery to its modern transformation, the facility has continually embraced technological advancement and operational innovation. In 2024, the facility completed its Rodeo Renewed transformation, transitioning from a traditional petroleum refinery into a renewable energy complex capable of producing approximately 800 million gallons of renewable diesel annually. This significant shift supports lower- carbon transportation fuels and contributes to both national and state climate goals. The complex has also expanded into the production of sustainable aviation fuel, generating approximately 10,000 gallons per day of neat SAF blendstock into approximately 20,000 gallons per day of finished SAF, which helps address emissions in the aviation sector. Further strengthening its clean energy portfolio, the facility completed an 88-acre on-site solar field in 2025, reducing its environmental footprint while diversifying its energy sources. These advancements reflect a sustained commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of good-paying jobs in Contra Costa County and throughout California. The Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex continues to operate under the core values of safety, honor, and commitment. These principles resonate deeply with the ideals of public service and community partnership. On behalf of the constituents of California's 8th District, I commend Phillips 66 Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex AC Transit for their long- standing contributions to the energy sector, the workforce, and the surrounding community, and I congratulate them on 130 years of continuous operation.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, on February 2, 2026, I was recorded as ``Not Voting'' on rollcall Vote No. 50. During the vote, I remained present in the House Chamber after voting on rollcall No. 49, and I attempted to cast my electronic vote on rollcall Vote No. 50. I then departed the House Chamber, though my attempted vote apparently was not recorded. Had my vote been recorded without error, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 50.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Betty Reid Soskin, who used all 104 years of her life to the fullest. Betty lived in the East Bay since 1927, when her family moved from New Orleans. As a young woman during World War II, Betty worked as a shipyard clerk for the all-Black auxiliary lodge of the segregated Boilermakers Union. In 1945, she and her husband founded one of the first Black-owned music stores, which remained open until 2019. Over the years, she has worked with many elected officials, State senators, and assembly members. In the early 2000s, she became involved in the plans for opening the Rosie the Riveter WWII/Home Front National Historical Park. This led to her later career as a park ranger, which she began in 2007 at the age of 85. Betty led talks explaining the importance of the park in memorializing the contributions of women and African Americans working in the war industries supporting the U.S. effort at the home front. Betty used her experiences and observations as a Black woman to bring light to the untold stories of African Americans during World War II and underscored the racism experienced by her and countless other women of color. Through Betty's hard work and storytelling, she has touched the lives of thousands of park visitors and millions of Americans. It was just 2 months ago that she and I were together at one of the premier facilities, the Mare Island Dry Docks, where she was able to, once again, call upon all of us. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with Betty's family. From all of us, I thank Betty for her tireless service and dedication to the community. We will deeply miss her.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Foster for bringing us together to talk about this profoundly important situation. We stand here today on a precipice. In less than a month, the New START treaty, the last remaining major arms control agreement between the Soviet Union, or Russia, and the United States, is set to expire. If we allow this treaty to lapse without a replacement, then we will be entering a world we haven't seen in decades, a world without limits on the nuclear arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers: Russia and the United States. We will be stripping away the last guardrail preventing a catastrophic return to the unchecked nuclear buildup of the Cold War. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared a profound truth: A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. That principle has been the bedrock of global security for nearly 40 years. It led us and Russia to eliminate nuclear testing, to shrink bloated stockpiles, and to prioritize communication over conflict. Yet today we are close to forgetting that profound blessing. Instead of prioritizing deescalation, we see a resurgence of the same Cold War mindset that once pushed us to the brink of annihilation. We see hawkish perspectives pushing the U.S., Russia, and now China to a new, three-way nuclear arms race. Proponents tell us that this buildup will make us more safe and that more is better. They tell us that pouring trillions of dollars into a nuclear modernization is the only way to be safe, but nothing-- nothing--could be further from the truth. Without nuclear arms control agreements like the New START, every new weapon we build only fuels an unwinnable arms race as our adversaries respond in kind. We build. They build. We build. They build. And the cost of this race is staggering. Let me give you one example, Mr. Speaker: The Sentinel program aims to replace the Minuteman III ICBMs. This single program has already ballooned to cost over $200 billion, an 81 percent cost overrun. We are spending blindly. We are on remote control: more bombs, more, more, and we will be safe. That is nonsense, just nonsense. We will not be safer. Instead of doing the hard work of diplomacy, we are being asked to plow billions of taxpayer dollars into a dangerous fantasy: the so- called Golden Dome, a missile defense system. We will be safe. We will build more bombs, and we will stop their bombs. We are told the system would cost only $175 billion and it will provide the perfect shield. However, a recent working paper showed that this system that actually attempts to defend against the full range of Russia and China will cost as much as $3.6 trillion, a multitrillion- dollar gap between rhetoric and reality. So what do we get for that price? The same report concludes that with this unlimited spending, such a system will still fail to be 100 percent effective. Are we prepared to spend trillions of dollars on a shield that cannot be 100 percent effective? Oh, well, only if one or two bombs get through, forget about New York and forget about Washington, D.C. After all, who needs Washington, D.C.? We have to be prepared to think differently. We cannot spend trillions of dollars on a shield that cannot protect us all the while that we are building more and more bombs so that our adversary will build more and more bombs and find a way to evade the shield. They will. We cannot engineer a technological fix for a political problem. Decades ago we realized the only true shield against nuclear annihilation is not a Golden Dome. It is the hard, unglamorous work of a verifiable arms control treaty. When we forget the lessons of the past, then we are doomed to make the same mistakes. Luckily, we still have time, a very short time, to do the hard work of diplomacy instead of resting the fate of our Nation, in fact, humanity, on the fantasies of fool's gold. We still have a choice. We can choose to continue down the path of unconstrained spending and escalation and drift toward a future where security is based upon a perpetual threat of annihilation, or we can choose to modernize our thinking rather than just our weapons. We can prioritize diplomacy over escalation and arms control over an arms race. In short, we can learn from history. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 100, authored by our leader today and support arms control agreements and negotiated constraints. This resolution is not just about a treaty. It is about sanity. It is about reaffirming our commitment to arms control, to oversight, and to policy based on reason and restraint, not on fear and reflex. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for organizing this evening. We have 1 month in which to extend the New START treaty or we can fall into an arms race. We have choices. We have time, and we have the power to change.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding officer and strategic leader in our United States Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Knapp distinguished himself through exceptional professional character and dedication by serving this Nation in uniform. For the past two years, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp served admirably as the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. Transportation Command. In this role, he was the principal liaison for Members of Congress and the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. Here, he fostered positive relationships between the Congress and the command and conveyed information critical to Congressional oversight, policy development, and appropriations. Lieutenant Colonel Knapp graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and serves as a senior pilot with over three thousand one hundred flight hours as a combat pilot for the C-17A Globemaster III and as a Vice Presidential pilot on C-32A aircraft. Prior to his assignment at U.S. Transportation Command, he served as Defense Legislative Fellow to Senator Tammy Duckworth, where he advised on defense, foreign relations, and veterans' affairs legislation. As Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. Transportation Command, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp scheduled eighty-three office calls between the Commander and Members of Congress. These meetings addressed contested logistics and readiness concerns and fortified posture testimony during Senate and House Armed Services Committee hearings. He also organized the Deputy Commander's annual Hill engagements, educating nearly one hundred staffers on the Mobility Capabilities Study, directly influencing critical report language for aeromedical evacuation requirements. Finally, he developed the command's appropriations engagement strategy thereby protecting $2.8 million dollars for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funds for maritime logistics platforms. Of particular note for my district, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp led a four-day congressional staff delegation to California showcasing Ready Reserve Force vessels and joint mobility assets throughout the district, thus bolstering support for maritime equities, surface transportation needs, and air mobility requirements that align perfectly with the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee's priorities. This engagement provided Congress critical insights and directly influenced the debate for recapitalizing the Ready Reserve Force in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. Speaker, next month Lieutenant Colonel Knapp will assume duties in my district at Travis Air Force Base, California, as the Director of Operations of the 821st Contingency Response Squadron, where he will once again lead Airmen on the tactical and operational levels. It has been a great pleasure to work with Lieutenant Colonel Knapp during his time representing U.S. Transportation Commands on Capitol Hill. His dedication to the Nation's maritime and air mobility infrastructure, combined with his deep understanding of strategic mobility challenges, made him an invaluable partner in advancing our national defense transportation priorities. On behalf of our grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Knapp and his family for the past sixteen years. I wish them the very best as they continue their journey in our U.S. Air Force, and I look forward to welcoming them to California's 8th Congressional District. Together, we deliver.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Betty Reid Soskin, a trailblazer, public servant, and living witness to American history who used her 104 years of her life to the fullest. Born in 1921, lived in the East Bay since 1927, when her family moved from New Orleans. She lived a life defined by courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to truth and justice. She experienced firsthand the hardships of segregation, the challenges of wartime America, and the long struggle for civil rights, yet she transformed those experiences into a lifetime of public service and education. As a young woman during World War II, Betty worked as a shipyard clerk for an all-Black auxiliary lodge of the segregated Boilermaker's union. In 1945 she and her husband founded one of the first Black-owned music stores, which remained open until 2019. Ms. Soskin made history as the oldest active National Park Service ranger, serving at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California. Through her work, she ensured that the stories of women, people of color, and working families who are often omitted from traditional historical narratives were finally heard and preserved. Her storytelling gave voice to generations whose contributions shaped our Nation but were too often overlooked. Beyond her federal service, Betty Reid Soskin has worked as staff to a Berkeley city council member, a state Assemblywoman, and a California State Senator. As well as a respected civil rights activist, author, educator, and community leader. Her life reminded us that history is not only something we study it is something we live, challenge, and improve. Even after surviving serious injury late in life, Ms. Soskin continued to inspire with her determination, grace, and clarity of purpose. She taught us that patriotism includes honesty, that progress requires persistence, and that every generation has a responsibility to expand opportunity and justice. Betty Reid Soskin leaves behind an enduring legacy of service, truth- telling, and hope. Her life stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of ensuring that America's full story is told. I extend my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all those whose lives were touched by her remarkable spirit. Her impact will be felt for generations, and I know the people of Contra Costa County, and our Nation will join me in celebrating her life and legacy. May we honor her memory by continuing the work she so passionately advanced and by striving, as she did, to build a more just and inclusive Nation.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep appreciation for Major Justin Smith of the United States Air Force, who has served with distinction as a Department of Defense Legislative Fellow in my office since January 2025. Major Smith has brought invaluable insight, expertise, and dedication that have greatly contributed to the success of our work. His background and experience directly informed my efforts as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, where we addressed critical issues related to the preparedness of our Nation's military forces. His professionalism, knowledge, and judgment consistently strengthened our understanding of these complex challenges. Whether preparing for hearings before the House Armed Services Committee, drafting legislative proposals, or conducting in-depth research, Major Smith could always be relied upon to deliver work of the highest caliber. He authored key provisions that were ultimately adopted into the National Defense Authorization Act, ensuring that priorities for California's 8th Congressional District were reflected in the final bill. Throughout the year, Major Smith provided thoughtful, well-researched perspectives that proved invaluable in supporting the mission of Travis Air Force Base and in advancing the well-being of servicemembers, their families, and the broader community. His commitment to strengthening U.S. Cyber forces was particularly noteworthy and played an important role in shaping my approach to these vital issues. Major Smith's passion for service and dedication to his profession were evident in all that he did. His exceptional performance has left a lasting impact on my office, and both I and my entire team will miss his presence. The United States Air Force is fortunate to count him among its ranks, and I am confident he will continue to advance its mission with distinction. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District and a grateful Nation, I extend my deepest appreciation to Major Smith for his dedicated service and wish him every success in his future endeavors.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition and appreciation of Dr. Ryan Nesselrodt, Ph.D. upon his completion of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science & Technology Fellowship. Dr. Nesselrodt served as a fellow in my Washington, D.C. office from September 2024 to December 2025, displaying remarkable technical knowledge, flexibility, and creative thinking. As an integral member of my legislative staff, Dr. Nesselrodt assisted my work on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, particularly my work on the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. His exceptional analytical skills and scientific background made him an invaluable advisor for the office on a variety of issues, ranging from plutonium pit production to geothermal energy to the maritime industry. Throughout his fellowship, Dr. Nesselrodt was the driving force behind several critical legislative efforts. He drafted key provisions on nuclear weapons policy that were adopted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. He also was responsible for drafting and introducing the ``Geothermal Tax Parity Act,'' which would incentivize geothermal energy production. In addition, he was instrumental in building support among industry stakeholders and Members for my ``SHIPS for America Act.'' His work often required balancing competing legislative priorities, and he was always able to develop a range of sound policy options for my consideration. Beyond drafting legislative language, Dr. Nesselrodt proved to be a critical voice in policy debate. He consistently offered thoughtful perspectives often not considered by other members of the team. His arguments, grounded in strategic realities, have been essential in helping the office promote responsible, effective policies. Dr. Nesselrodt is a dedicated public servant, an extraordinary researcher, and a skilled communicator. He is precisely the kind of future leader and innovative thinker we need. I expect Dr. Nesselrodt's fellowship in my office will inspire and inform his future endeavors, and I am confident he will make invaluable contributions in his new role. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional district, I extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Nesselrodt for his dedicated service as an AAAS Science & Technology fellow. He will always remain a deeply valued member of Team Garamendi.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I look at the photo and say, Doug, for 12 years, you and I represented the Sacramento River. We developed a friendship based upon the working part, but mostly upon sharing, sharing things. We would get on the airplane to fly to Washington, and you had your seat all the time. We said hello and talked about what was coming and then going home. It was a friendship that was deep and meaningful. There was plenty of work to do. The Sacramento River is the most important river in California after the Colorado. It was yours. You had the upper, and I had the lower part of it. Together, we worked to protect the river, to protect the farmers, and to protect the flow of water. It is good work, and you did a good job. You were good at representing your district and representing the very complex issues. I remember standing on one of the levees, and you were talking about your rice field. I said, Doug, let me talk about my cows in my fields. He said, Okay, you go ahead, but I am going to go first. You shared your knowledge with me and with others. You were good. You were really good at the work you did for your people. You were a quality Representative. I miss you. I miss the work that we did together on the Sacramento River Valley and all the issues that we had. It is a long list, and it would take another hour to go through them all. I miss you, and Patti misses you because she would get up from her seat and go back to your seat, which you always had on that plane, and the two of you would talk and share. I know your family misses you. I know your constituents miss you. Doug LaMalfa, you are going to be remembered by those of us who have had the honor of working with you.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, indeed, it is a great State because we have great freshmen Representatives. I thank them for this Special Order hour and the opportunity to really talk about a critical issue for our constituents in California and really all across America. If we go back to the beginning of the Trump administration and we think about the various issues that he has put forth and the burdens that he has placed on America, one of the most important is in the big, ugly bill. If you take a look at the big, ugly bill and you get into the details, well, there are the enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, and we will talk about that in a few moments; but also in the big, ugly bill is the big problem coming up at the end of this 2026 year. They have put in place a dismantling of the Medicaid program. They pushed it off until after the election, but the facts of the matter are those impacts are already being recognized across the healthcare system. It is going to affect every American and particularly those that are relying on Medicare. Now, if we talk about what the issue is today--and thank goodness, the Democratic leadership in this House put forth an opportunity to solve one of the most critical problems that face Americans right now, and that is the expiration of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. That has happened. Today, on this floor, there was a vote. Fortunately, the House of Representatives, led by the Democrats and a handful of Republicans, pushed forward an extension, a 3-year extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies which will be exceedingly important. The Affordable Care Act enhanced premium credits expired. They expired last year at the end of the year, and 4 million Americans immediately faced a problem. The expiration of these tax credits not only raised the cost for individuals in the marketplace, but it also raised the healthcare costs all across America because it rippled down into all aspects of the healthcare system, the insurance, and the operations at hospitals and clinics. These harmful impacts won't stop at the Affordable Care Act insurance premiums. Those costs are now across the system. Let me level with the American people. The Republican healthcare crisis will make the American people wait longer for healthcare. It will make Americans pay more for worse healthcare systems. And for people who live in rural, as well as urban areas, your clinics and your hospitals are shut down. Why? Because the Republicans have been after a challenge dating back to the 1960s when the Medicare program was put in place to eliminate the government's operations there. There is still time to avoid this crisis, and today, this House, led by the Democrats, took action to solve at least one of the major pieces of that, the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. It is up to the Senate Republicans now. Hello, where are you, Senate Republicans? Are you paying attention? It is in your House. You have the opportunity to save this system, Senate Republicans. I know that Senate Democrats are already on board. They want to do this. Let's get this done. So let's challenge the Senate Republicans, see where they stand. We know where a whole lot of our Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives stand. They did not stand with Americans. They didn't stand with those people in your districts, in my district, that are going to lose their Affordable Care Act insurance premiums. We have got work to do. This isn't the end of this healthcare crisis. This is just one more step along the way to try to find some way to overcome the terrible burden that the Trump administration and the Republicans have placed on Americans as they go about trying to provide healthcare coverage for themselves, for their families, and for their communities. We met that challenge today. The Democrats here in the House of Representatives met that challenge today, and we forced through a 3- year extension of the Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies. We are thankful that many, and a handful of Republicans, stood with us in this.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I stand here a little bit confused. I want to support this bill, but at the same time, the work that we have put in on the Subcommittee on Readiness, dealing with the ability of the troops to have a clean barracks and to be ready to deal with the issues that are out there, there are many things going on that are troublesome. It may be time for all of us to just take a deep breath and go: Wait a minute. What is happening here? There are extrajudicial killings going on in the middle of an ocean. Military aircraft are used for deportation. Secretary Hegseth and the President are eroding our military readiness while advancing their ambitions. At a moment when this administration is dangerously close to dragging us into a disastrous and unauthorized war in Venezuela, this bill does not, unfortunately, push forward the appropriate role of the Congress to carry out its funding, as well as our oversight responsibility. Many provisions of this bill they worked hard for on the Subcommittee on Readiness, such as child development, infrastructure, barracks, even in my own district, but it is not enough. The administration has threatened war with our NATO allies and purged senior officers and career military lawyers without cause. They deployed the National Guard into U.S. cities over the objection of local city leaders, entered into a conflict with Iran without congressional authorization, and diverted resources from critical military needs to fund immigration enforcement. All of this, and I haven't begun to talk about my favorite subject, the nuclear arsenal, and we could spend a lot of time on that. I would like to vote for this bill, but I can't. I just can't. It is time for all of us to take a moment and say: Wait a minute. We are the Congress of the United States. This bill, while it does many things, does not assert congressional authority as it should. Mr. Speaker, for years, the House Armed Services Committee has worked to craft a bipartisan bill that ensures strong congressional oversight of the Department of Defense and guarantees that our servicemembers and their families have the resources they need to accomplish their mission. Each year, I have worked hard to help make this bill the best it can be, but this year's bill falls short at a moment when congressional oversight is more important than ever. As the administration deploys American troops to our streets, carries out extrajudicial killings in the middle of the ocean, and uses military aircraft for deportations, Secretary Hegseth and President Trump are eroding our military's readiness while advancing their authoritarian ambitions. At a moment when this Administration is dangerously close to dragging us into a disastrous and unauthorized war, this bill does not do enough to reinforce Congress's role as a co- equal branch responsible for matters of war and peace. To be clear, the bill contains many provisions I am proud of. As the Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, I fought for military construction projects that will improve quality-of-life infrastructure--barracks, housing, and Child Development Centers, including one at Travis Air Force Base. I am proud of our work pressing the Department to take sustainment costs seriously, and I commend the committee staff for their tireless efforts to strengthen this legislation. Unfortunately, it is not enough. Let's remember what this administration has done this year: threatened war with our NATO allies; purged senior officers and career military lawyers without cause; deployed the National Guard to U.S. cities over the objections of local leaders; entered a conflict with Iran without congressional authorization; diverted resources from critical military needs to fund immigration enforcement operations--including in our district; and wasted countless taxpayer dollars on unnecessary nuclear capabilities while undermining other modernization priorities. Meanwhile, Congress hasn't held a public hearing since July and most of us haven't even seen the videotape of the double-tap strike in Venezuela. And when we have demanded oversight, the Republican majority and Trump's Pentagon have delayed and obstructed it. This bill's solution, requiring DoD to report to Congress only after unlawful actions occur, is wholly inadequate. Congress can fix this. Sadly, this bill does not rise to the moment. Asking for reports after wrongdoing is not accountability. Giving Hegseth and Trump even more authority and more resources will only embolden their dangerous behavior. It's time for Congress to do its job.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Vilma Aquino as one of California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year. Vilma has spent over three decades transforming lives and communities through the power of gardening. Since the 1990's, she has been a passionate educator and advocate for sustainable growing practices, community health, and environmental awareness. In 2009, she founded the Vallejo People's Garden, which provided fresh produce to the Christian Help Center's kitchen for ten years, feeding up to 75 clients daily. For fifteen years, she worked with students from Touro University to teach future healthcare professionals how gardening supports the concept of food as medicine. Her innovative work with Kaiser Permanente's Rehab Department and Residency Program brought healing and hands-on gardening education to patients, caregivers, and medical staff. Over the years, Vilma has helped several community gardens in Vallejo get started, including the garden at the Reynaissance Family Shelter in 2014. In 2024 and 2025, she co-founded the Bay Area Butterfly Festival, which attracted thousands of attendees and raised awareness about the declining Western Monarch Butterfly population and the critical role of native plants in ecosystem health. She coordinates a wide variety of gardening and wellness classes for the community, including culturally relevant offerings such as ``Filipino Fruits and Vegetables You Can Grow at Home in Solano County.'' Vilma is currently a Board Member at the Global Center for Success on Mare Island and continues to work with organizations such as Touro University, Kaiser Permanente, and Solano Community. On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Vilma Aquino for her invaluable contributions to our community.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Yajaira Rubio Machado as one of California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year in tribute to her visionary cultural leadership and tireless dedication to her community. Her work has left a lasting impact in Vallejo, California, and beyond. As the Founder and Director of Moon Azteca Dance and Art School, has elevated Mexican heritage and indigenous traditions, bringing their richness to the forefront of community life. Even during times of financial hardship and through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she remained steadfast in her mission of ensuring that young people stayed connected, creative, and proud of their cultural identity. Among her most notable accomplishments was her leadership in formalizing the Sister City agreement between Vallejo and Ensenada, Mexico. This diplomatic and cultural achievement exemplifies her ability to turn vision into sustained international partnerships bridging communities through shared heritage and mutual respect. Yajaira's service spans numerous civic, business, and cultural organizations, where she continues to empower others and advocate for inclusion and representation. Her contributions have preserved and promoted cultural expression, created pathways for youth development, and inspired civic pride. Yajaira's leadership stands as a shining example of how cultural diplomacy and grassroots engagement can strengthen and transform communities. Her unwavering resilience, community-first mindset, and creative spirit serve as an inspiration to all who know her. On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Yajaira Rubio Machado for her invaluable contributions to our community.